On Saturday June 29th Westport held it's 59th annual welcome to the people of the world in conjunction with The United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut and the International Hospitality Committee. In the background of this photo, a large group of protesters appears presenting their opposition to the UN’s position on the Israel/Gaza situation. See WestportLocal: **They Spoke Loudly…**

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Delegates to the UN as well as staff members were given a warm welcome once again and were offered the opportunity to visit some of Westport's exceptional amenities such as Wakeman Town Farm, Compo Beach, Earthplace and the Longshore Golf Course among others. They also got to witness first-hand a Westport Institution, The Sunrise Rotary's Great Duck Race.

A fierce rivalry on the Soccer pitch is also an annual event where The Westport Football Club took on the United Nations team, comprised of soccer players from all over the world at the Saugatuck school. (story and photos to follow, check WestportLocalPress later this week)

Each year flags from countries the world over are flown on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge in downtown Westport. Ms. Cohen (1920-2002) was a highly accomplished woman who was deeply involved with the UN and was a staunch champion supporting NGO affiliates at UN Headquarters. This year about 170 flags were flown representing most of the 193 member nations of the UN. The countries are selected in conjunction with the town and they excluded the flag of Russia in 2022.

Ms. Steinkraus Cohen founded the UN Association of Southwestern CT which co-organizes the event each year. This event celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter which was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on October 24, 1945.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The jUNe Day program began with a greeting from Mr. Willard Hass, President, NA-USA Southwestern CT Chapter. Mr. Hass was followed by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker who welcomed the international contingent to Westport. A message from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was delivered by the Guest of Honor, Mr. Christian Saunders. Mr. Saunders is the Under-Secretary-General, Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The important highlights from the message of UN Secretary-General Guterres which which were delivered by Under-Secretary-General Saunders were:

“Every June, the Town of Westport welcomes UN staff members, delegates and friends to join together and celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter. This annual event stands as a reminder of the essential role the Charter plays in ensuring peace, stability and cooperation in a difficult and fractured world. The values embodied by the Charter are timeless: peace, dialogue, human rights, international law, and solutions through solidarity.

We need these values more than ever, as we grapple with huge global challenges like conflicts, climate change, poverty, hunger and inequality.”

“The work that you all do has embodied this essential call to action. I urge you to continue championing the vital causes of peace, sustainable development and human rights for all. Together, we can build a better future for everyone, everywhere. “

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

UN visitors and jUNe Day volunteers listen to the remarks by the speakers including Under Secretary-General Saunders and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker.

Tooker welcomed everyone saying “It is my pleasure to welcome you to our beautiful town as we have done for over 50 years.” She added, “I know this is an opportunity for you all to get out of the city” and that “This is the perfect place to do just that.” Booker referenced the pro-Israel silent protest telling the crowd, “People here embrace freedom of expression as you see here today. And this is the way we do things in Westport, respectful, civil, peaceful, adding, “Many members of our community have experienced deep, acute and lasting pain since the horrific attack on October 7th. Just as the UN promotes robust dialogue, so do we here inWestport. And that is what you see here this morning.”